Thu, 06 Jul 2017 09:43:50 +0000
…as the Chipolopolo Boys storm finals and nears grabbing 5th title
By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA
ZAMBIA coach Wedson Nyirenda says the Chipolopolo Boys’ performance in their 4-2 victory over Tanzania yesterday was beyond his expectations. The Chipolopolo Boys last evening stormed the COSAFA Castle Cup finals after they beat Tanzania 4-2 in the semi-final played at Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa. Man-of-the match Justin Shonga scored a brace while Jackson Chirwa and Brian Mwila contributed a goal each to sail Zambia to the finals. A satisfied Nyirenda hailed his lads for the excellent performance which exceeded his expectations. “The boys put up an excellent performance which is beyond my expectations. They were very comfortable on the ball and utilised all the available scoring chances. I am impressed,”he said. He said the team will work on the lapses noted heading into the final. “We still have a lot of work to do because we are going to meet a different team in the finals.
Tanzania coach Salum Mayanga said his lads were tired having played five games in a space of 10 days. “They were tired and I must commend them for the good fight. It is not easy to play five games in 10 days, it’s really a training ground for the boys. It’s unfortunate we lost, but we will definitely work hard for the third and fourth play-off,” Mayanga said. Tanzania dominated the opening half taking the lead in the 15th minute with a free kick cracker from Erasto Nyoni. The Taifa Stars continued to mount pressure on the unstable Zambia defence but goalkeeper Allan Chibwa produced a few saves to deny Tanzania a second goal. Tanzania was sent tumbling in the first half when Zambia scored two goals in a minute.
Brian Mwila opened fire in the 44th minute with a low soft shot before Shonga raced in-between defenders to put Zambia ahead just before the break to score a second goal for Zambia in the 45th minute. In second half, Zambia grew into the game and displayed good football upfront with Mike Katiba, Shonga and Mwila terrorising the Taifa Stars in the backyard. Zambia won a penalty in the 56th minute after defender Gadiel Kamagi handed the ball as he tried to intercept Katiba’s cross . Chirwa did not waste the chance and the Taifa goalkeeper Aisha Maula in the wrong direction to make it 3-1. Shonga scored the fourth goal in the 68th minute while Tanzania’s Salmon Msuva scored the second goal in the 84th minute. Zambia will play the winner between Lesotho and Zimbabwe who were last night scheduled to play in the other semi-final.
